A program that focuses on the systematic study of what it means to be human. Students are exposed to a holistic approach that focuses on cultural behavior and institutions, biology, material culture and language. The program is four-field, which means that students take classes in archaeology, linguistic anthropology, sociocultural anthropology, and biological anthropology. The department also offers courses focusing on medical anthropology, primatology, race and ethnicity, economic anthropology, hominids, prehistoric archaeology, anthropogenic modification the environment, gender, sexuality, and many other topics.

Students will be introduced to the discipline’s theoretical concepts, research methods, ethics, and practice. Critical thinking, lifelong learning, and the acquisition of transferable skills are emphasized. Possible careers include areas such as applied anthropology, corporate ethnography, public health, education, medicine, forensic pathology, museum studies, cultural resource management, archaeology, paleontology, linguistics, human resources, and international affairs.

English Language Requirements

IELTS – no less than 6.5 overall (with at least 6.0 in each sub-score) or TOEFL IBT – 79-93 (Reading – no less than 13, Listening – no less than 12, Speaking – no less than 18, Writing – no less than 21) or TOEFL PBT** – 574-599

Academic Requirements

– Minimum requirements for graduates or students of the final year of secondary school, colleges, UK Foundation program and graduates of the A-level program

SAT Reasoning Test ** or ACT SAT Reasoning Test – 1240 Essay is not required, no minimum score OR ACT – 27 composite score. Writing part is not required, no minimum score

– Minimum requirements for graduates and holders of NIS Grade 12 Certificate*

NIS 12 Grade Certificate – A B B (any subjects)

– Minimum requirements for graduates and holders of IВ Diploma Program***

IB DP 30 total score and 4, 4, 5 for 3 subjects of HL

*NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders can also participate in the competition in the “Graduates of secondary schools” category with IELTS and SAT results (see the minimum requirements for this category above).

** The Nazarbayev University applies the Superscoring for SAT scores.

***IB DP holders can also participate in the competition in the “Graduates of secondary schools” category with IELTS and SAT results (see the minimum requirements for this category above).

4 years

B.A. in Anthropology is a comprehensive degree with an exhaustive program aimed at understanding human beings and a perfect opportunity for people looking to work in:

Research Institutions
Academia (universities)
Government Entities
Non-governmental Organizations
United Nations and other international organizations

BA program runs 4 years (8 semesters) where you are required to complete 240 ECTS credits.

Anthropology Courses:
Three 100-level ANT courses
Qualitative Methods
Anthropological Theory
Three courses at the advanced or intermediate level in at least two separate subfields (Cultural, Biological, and Archaeological Anthropology)
Anthropology electives
Senior Capstone

Distribution requirements:
History Course
History of Kazakhstan
Philosophy/Religion
Rhetoric and Composition
Humanities Electives
Social Science Research Methods
Three Social Science electives
Natural Sciences and Math
Any courses from SSH or SEDS